Our Favorite Views From the Best Hotels in the Hamptons Are Actually Inside
The eight hideaways our editors book all year long.
Updated Aug 2, 2023 11:31 AM
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From dreamy decor to top-notch amenities, this is your first-class ticket to the most design-driven getaways around the world. Whether you’re looking to steal away for a few days or just steal a few ideas for back home (we encourage both, for the record), check out where we’re checking in. Today: the Hamptons.
It’s no big deal if you don’t own a home in the Hamptons—some of the area’s most stylish stays are even better (plus room service!). From the perfect seaside perch to the one that feels like a gloriously long spa day, each of these Long Island hotels is not just a chic place to lay your head—they all provide interior inspiration for days. Here are our eight picks for the best hotels in the Hamptons.
The Maidstone, East Hampton
What we love: Two words—Hästens beds.
One thing’s for sure, we will travel for a mattress, but even if you only come for comfort, you’ll stay here for the gilded mirrors, canvas canopies, and Art Deco wallpaper. If that sounds like a bizarre combination, that’s because no two rooms are the same, and following a recent reno, each of the 19 options is modeled after a different Scandinavian designer. Along with luxury linens and Jonathan Baker aromatherapy, expect to be immersed in the futuristic world of Verner Panton—or stay in a suite that could be mistaken for architect Arne Jacobsen’s bedroom.
Daunt’s Albatross, Montauk
What we love: New and nostalgic meet in the middle.
If you were staying at Daunt’s, you’d be on the beach in the time it takes to read this paragraph. With 24 rooms only 100 feet from the ocean, this family-owned ’70s-era motel layers past and present in a way that feels as cozy as your childhood home but cooler. Thanks to a refresh via Home Studios, vintage textiles play well with Parachute linens, while knotty wood furniture and tile in every shade of the sea spark a desire to connect with nature nearby. But it’s totally cool to curl up in front of the fireplace for a while, too.
Shou Sugi Ban House, Water Mill
What we love: The feel of a never-ending spa day.
Inspired by the principles of wabi-sabi—a Japanese philosophy that embraces imperfection—this retreat is, ironically, pretty near perfect. All of the guest rooms feature clean-lined design, organic mattresses, custom-built furniture by All Things Dirt, and traditional ofuro tubs for nightly soaks. Speaking of water, the element plays an integral part in the atmosphere—and not only because of its proximity to the sea. You can take a dip in the saltwater pool, do rounds in the hydrotherapy circuits, and experience a full-sensory shower with LED chromotherapy.
Solé East Resort, Montauk
What we love: The pool you’ll want to lounge at all day.
Glossy white wood floors, surf photography, nubby jute rugs, and paper lanterns make Solé East Resort feel like a luxurious beach shack. When you’re not spending time in the light-filled guest rooms, the inviting pool area and sprawling grassy lawns are all you need to get into full-on vacation mode. If you’re hungry, just hit up the on-site eatery, Backyard Restaurant. While you may not feel the need to ever leave, the property is just a five-minute walk from the beach and Montauk’s village.
Topping Rose House, Bridgehampton
What we love: Full-service luxury…and a Jean-Georges restaurant.
This stately 19th-century mansion might look traditional, but 22 glorious suites put the modern in modern farmhouse. The historic charm of the pristinely landscaped grounds gives way to sleek rooms anchored by Madeline Weinrib’s striped rugs and finished with crisp Frette linens. And after a feast from local fisheries and farms in Jean-Georges’s polished dining room, you can head back to your room, wrap yourself up in a Sferra robe, and call it a night.
The Reform Club, Amagansett
What we love: Modern cottagecore digs with outdoor living nooks.
Dark hardwood floors, white wainscoted walls, and cathedral ceilings set the stage, but sitting in your own private patio (seven of the 10 accommodations have them) will make you wonder why you aren’t actually Nancy Meyers herself. Double doors open up to reveal manicured gardens and bluestone patios that beg you to linger longer over your morning coffee. Those who prefer the indoors can snag a front-row seat in front of a wood-burning fireplace or call first dibs on the plush Duxiana bed dressed with Matouk linens. You might even find yourself hanging out in the marble bathroom for a while thanks to the spa-style steam rooms.
Marram, Montauk
What we love: Screen-free suites.
None of the rooms here have TVs, and we’re betting you won’t even notice. When you’re not strolling over the sand dunes to reach the beach, you’ll have plenty to see in Marram’s thoughtfully designed accommodations. A pared-down palette lets you take in the details: smooth concrete floors padded with Tuareg mats, custom white oak furniture, and blackened steel standing closets that turn your outfit of the day into part of the ambience. After sunset, airy Noguchi light sculptures show you the way to a cushy Tuft & Needle Mint mattress (one of our faves for stomach sleepers) when you’re ready to catch some z’s.
The Shoals, North Fork
What we love: It’s not really the Hamptons.
This North Fork escape is decidedly more chill and less crowded than its southern counterparts. It was designed by Thomas Juul-Hansen, the mind behind some of Manhattan’s most impressive residences, and the hybrid “boatel” is the first of its kind in the area. Whether you arrive by land or sea, you’ll be greeted by a cedar-shingled exterior that houses 20 suites (and boat slips) overlooking the Peconic Bay. Inside, jute rugs and soothing blue hues cover the apartment-style dwellings, some of which even feature kitchenettes with cute corner banquettes. And if we weren’t so tempted to set sail for a day trip to Shelter Island, we would never leave the private balconies that overlook it.
Crow’s Nest Inn, Montauk
What we love: Laid-back, living-like-a-local atmosphere.
Tucked away from other end-of-the-world haunts, the once defunct motel now houses 14 revamped rooms at the easternmost tip of the island. Hotelier Sean MacPherson once described his Ditch Plains home as something akin to Robinson Crusoe luxe, and that aesthetic has seemingly seeped into the Crow’s Nest, too. A mashup of worldly textiles, from Kuba cloth to Moroccan pillow covers, color each room, while carved wood furnishings add texture to boho-surf spaces. Outside the rooms, you might catch a celeb at the restaurant where Athena Calderone has a standing reservation while you nosh on the Mediterranean-meets-Montauk fare.
Where to Shop in the Hamptons
- Wyeth. While out of her budget, our style editor, Julia Stevens, says this is her “favorite store in the world” because it’s full of museum-worthy mid-century pieces worth shipping home.
- Hidden Gem. Owned by two sisters, you’ll find colorful hand-knotted wool and woven baskets among the goodies at this Caribbean-inspired homewares shop.
- Katie Leede & Co. Shop. Consider this a modern-day trading post for buying and selling vintage pieces curated by interior designer Leede.
Where to Eat in the Hamptons
- Mavericks. Vanessa Price and chef Jeremy Blutstein opened the modern steakhouse in May, and the locally sourced seafood and produce is even better than its jaw-dropping view of Fort Pond.
- The Bird. The team at Daunt’s Albatross worked with Home Studios again to open a new restaurant just across the street from the hotel, serving up soft scrambles and espresso martinis with a side of beachy charm.
- Duryea’s. A dockside destination reminiscent of Greece, where you can fill up on the freshest seafood while you watch the sun go down. And yes, the Lobster Cobb is worth it.
- Carissa’s Bakery. This James Beard Award–winning bakery is worth a daily visit for the pickle bread alone.
- Loaves & Fishes Foodstore. Stock up on deli-style sundries and gourmet takeout for a day at the beach or a night indoors.